The Cherries were comprehensively beaten at the Etihad Stadium this weekend and their fans have been giving their views on social media.
After the elation of last weekend’s first win of the season against West Bromwich Albion, Bournemouth were brought back down to earth with a resounding bump at Manchester City. The result was never in doubt from the moment Kevin de Bruyne opened the scoring with a free-kick, and further goals from Kelechi Iheanacho, Raheem Sterling and Ilkay Gundogan sealed the emphatic win.
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe handed Jack Wilshere his full debut in midfield but controversially left Callum Wilson on the bench despite the striker’s winner last weekend.
Cherries fans on Twitter were not impressed with the ease at which their team were cut open by the hosts and questioned the team selection.
In amongst the doom and gloom, there were some Bournemouth fans trying to take the positives.
Yesterday’s performance was not the Bournemouth that neutrals have come to respect and admire during their stay in the Premier League, but realistically it is not games at Manchester City that will decide if Eddie Howe’s men stay up, and some fans chose to look at the bigger picture.
There was also praise for Bournemouth from City manager Pep Guardiola which was backed up by City fans, though some interpreted it as simple mind games from the Spaniard in the direction of Manchester United.
Bournemouth face Preston in the League Cup on Tuesday night, and Howe is likely to use the match as a chance to give some of his squad players an opportunity to impress.
The likes of Benik Afobe, Lys Mousset and Max Gradel have been used sparingly in the Premier League this season but will hope to use the midweek game against Championship opposition to prove that they should be at the forefront of Howe’s thoughts.
Next weekend sees another tough test lie in wait for the Cherries, who welcome second placed Everton to the Vitality Stadium.
The corresponding fixture last season ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw, and some of Bournemouth’s defending this season means that perhaps a repeat scoreline is not completely out of the question. Whatever the outcome, Cherries fans will certainly be hoping for a vastly improved performance after Saturday’s no-show.
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